Rubbing alcohol being used to exterminate bed bugs in the Propst Road home instead set the building ablaze, Eric Hendrix said Friday.

"We feel like the alcohol vapors in the room found an ignition source," Hendrix said. "We don't know what the ignition source was at that time."

Those vapors could've ignited something like a candle that was easily flammable, Hendrix said. Once it did, it took at least 10 fire departments to stop the spread and put out the blaze.

Brittany Jenkins was in the home with her 84-year-old grandmother, Betty Atkins, and her cat. All were safe, but nearly everything inside was destroyed.

Jenkins was only able to save three pictures from inside the residence Atkins has called home for more than 30 years.

Hendrix says that, while these types of fires are rare, people should take extra precaution when treating pests.

"I think the best thing to do is hire a professional, an exterminating company," Hendrix said. "They have tried and true methods that although they may cost more, you look at circumstances like this. The failure to recognize the hazard is what was ultimately at play here."

Several firefighters were treated for heat-related conditions at the scene. Nobody suffered serious injury, Hendrix said.

You can reach Adam Lawson at 704-869-1842 or Twitter.com/GazetteLawson.